What began as a small windsurfing school in 1979 has blossomed into a multifaceted enterprise with four distinct divisions, operating across South Carolina and Georgia. Guided by a mission to enrich lives by connecting people to extraordinary places, products, and experiences, we offer a wide range of services, including fully customized group travel experiences, team-building programs, engaging outdoor activities, and specialty retail.
Meet The Team
Outstanding People
Our Team
The Outside Brands Team
Over the past 45 years, Outside Brands has steadily grown into a leading name in the outdoor and adventure industry. With 4 separate and distinct divisions, our team is a vibrant mix of passionate leaders and skilled outdoorspeople, all of whom share a profound connection with the natural beauty, rich history, and unique culture of the Lowcountry and Coastal Empire.
Meet The Team
Mike Overton
Founder/CEO
- Hometown: Washington DC
- As the CEO I have enjoyed over 37 years of growing this organization. Blessed with a remarkable team I believe my vision for connection people to exceptional places, experiences, and products has been rewarded with an invigorating and engaging operation.
Brittany Willard
Director of Reservations/OPB General Manager
- Hometown: Newton, Kansas
- We practice “Customer-centricity,” which means we put the customer at the center of all business decisions and prioritize their needs and satisfaction at every step of the way.
Sarah Tillman
CFO
- Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
- In addition to financial stewardship of the company, seeing the bigger picture, anticipating trends, and navigating complex challenges to drive lasting success are all critical components to my department.
Sharon Sutton
Director of Human Resources
- Hometown: Augusta, GA
- “As Director of HR, I believe our greatest resource is our people. When we create an environment where growth is nurtured, ideas are celebrated, and laughter is encouraged, we do more than build a company—we build a legacy. Together, we can inspire each other to dream bigger, work smarter, and have more fun along the way. So, crank up ‘Let the good times roll’—because that’s the kind of energy we’re bringing every day!”
JC McCune
Director of Operations
- Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
- Operational excellence is what we strive for everyday at Outside. We do this by maximizing productivity, optimizing resources and processes, and striving for continuous improvement.
Carol Kavanaugh-Arrington
Director of Sales – DMC
- Hometown: West Seneca, New York
- “I get to learn about our clients’ needs and interests and match them with impactful local experiences and unforgettable moments. By leveraging our strong vendor relationships with local expertise, we create personalized programs that truly bring their visit to life.”
Patty Robbins
Guide Performance & Development
- Hometown: Millville, New Jersey
- If there’s one thing that separates Outside from our competitors, it’s the level of training our captains and guides undergo. You won’t find a group with greater skills, knowledge, and respect for safety.
Jessie Madden
Director of Retail
- Hometown: Keene, New Hampshire
- We are a specialty retail operation in that we focus on a specific category of outdoor apparel and gear-related products, rather than selling a wide range of consumer goods. We typically carry a limited inventory of high-quality items that are carefully curated.
Jennifer Freeman
Director of Operations – DMC
- Hometown: Savannah, GA
- Highly motivated event professional with a demonstrated history of success. Competitive and meticulous, always striving to provide the best client experience. Able to handle multiple tasks successfully with the client’s goals and needs treated with the highest priority.
Jennifer Messier
Director of Strategy
- Hometown: Edmonton, AB
- My goal is to provide a framework to make decisions on how to allocate organizational resources, address challenges, and take advantage of opportunities that arise along the way.
Matt McKee
Director of Marketing
- Hometown: Chicago, IL
- Great companies are built on the backs of great products, and great products are built on the backs of customers. A great product is a response to a customer need.
Connecting people to exceptional places, products and experiences.
